Ten ways to soak up the rest of summer in Salmon Arm, B.C.

Pack your bags and head west on the Trans-Canada Highway for just over five hours and you’ll find yourself in Salmon Arm, B.C. on the shores of the flawless Shuswap Lake. Enjoy the final weeks of summer in Salmon Arm and the surrounding area with these 10 suggestions which include indulging in old-fashioned ice-cream cones, savouring mountain views and cuddling up under the stars at a drive-in movie.

1. Rent a boat and explore Shuswap Lake. Spend the day cruising the lake, stopping to swim, fish, tan, tube or even cliff-dive. If you run out of gas or get hungry, you’ll find everything you need at The SeaStore — a floating store located at Cinnemousun Narrows, where all four arms of the lake meet.

2. Tee off at the Salmon Arm Golf Club. Located just minutes from downtown, the club offers a tree-lined 18-hole and nine-hole course for golfers of all levels. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, stop for dinner on the spacious patio at the Club’s Ironwood Restaurant, which overlooks the award-winning course.

3. Sip wine made from 100 per cent B.C. grapes at Larch Hills Winery. Larch Hills is located just south of Salmon Arm and specializes in cool climate wines. The vineyard is family-owned and operated and has been around for almost 20 years. Take a tour, sample the signature Ortega wine among others and chat to the friendly owners Jack and Hazel.

4. Cool down with ice-cream at D Dutchmen Dairy in nearby Sicamous. You can’t beat the taste of their farm-fresh ice cream, milk and cheese. The Dewitt family started the company in 1978 and continues to run it to this day. Their dairy store is adjacent to the farm, so you can visit their Holstein cows and even get up-close and personal with llamas, goats and exotic birds.

5. Climb to the top of McArthur Heights. While it’s only a two-kilometre round-trip, it’s a challenging hike up scree slope and exposed rock. Sweating it out will all be worth it when you take in the jaw-dropping views of Shuswap Lake from the top. At the summit, be sure to add your name to the tin box hidden under a bench where hikers have been leaving notes for years.

6. Ride a horse through Salmon Arm’s Fly Hills. High Country Trail Rides offers fully guided horse trail rides winding through the peaceful green hills that surround Salmon Arm, with beautiful views of the city below. A memorable way to experience the scenery with family members of all ages.

7. Pick fresh fruit from a berry farm. Geier’s Fruit & Berry Farm in Salmon Arm allows you to pluck cherries, raspberries, strawberries and plums right from the tree and bush. The farm is open until late September, and if you call ahead, the Geier family will let you know what’s ripe and ready to pick.

8. Sail through the trees at Chase Canyon. For the more adventurous types, a visit to Treetop Flyers at Chase Canyon will have your family zip-lining high above the canyon and over two crashing waterfalls. In addition to scenic views while you coast down the three lines, you may also spot a few mountain goats.

9. Dive into local history at R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum. Learn more about Salmon Arm’s history and enjoy a nature walk at the museum, situated on a 40-acre park. The Heritage Village features over a dozen original buildings including a church, school and blacksmith shop from the early 1900s. Take a break at Marjorie’s Tea Room where visitors can sample homemade soups, sandwiches and their famous lemon scones.

10. End your day in Enderby. The city is home to The Starlight Drive-In, North America’s largest remaining drive-in screen. You’ll feel like you’ve travelled back in time as you watch old-fashioned concession ads (including dancing hotdogs), before enjoying the latest blockbuster on the biggest outdoor screen you’ve ever seen. If you plan to stay for the double feature, stock up on treats at the concession. Be sure to arrive early — they often sell out on warm summer nights!

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